Final Year- EHU Ninth Week

Monday

Instead of lesson this week we had our individual tutorials- mine was near the beginning of the allocated class time which was ideal for me. I pitched my company idea- was a little annoyed my website wouldn't load the one time I needed it to show- and got my feedback. Most of which was considered I had thought about and included, and that I didn't were the simple things I would have overlooked. The session was caught short by a whole building fire alarm. I spent my Monday on and off of this website design. I am still not stressed yet- and after finding out I have no lecture next week- I am hoping to get the bulk of work done then and have a relatively stress free year.

Tuesday

As always we have our 2-6 lecture slot. We didn't piece anything else together but found out we are extending our lecturer hours to 10 hours a week. Personally I think this is excessive with outside rehearsals as well and was shocked to see how unconnected the class was when it came to finding a unified time. As always not everyone could attend (understandable) but people were slating others for having work, when not everyone gets enough SFE to survive. I thought it was very immature with everyone speaking over everyone and very disprectful.

I power alked to the train station, which became my meditation time to cam down from the news today. As we would also miss third edge the weeks right after auditions, which 1. looks bad and 2. is my only dancing time a week.

The masters rehearsal went well and the piece is now FINISHED. Just a bit of polishing and we are ready.

Wednesday

I wanted long days and this definitely was. As much as my day didn’t start until 11 I was up earlier dealing with emails and more interviews coming through. Friday should be the same after being able to squeeze an early morning interview in, including the 1 hour trip there and back, to go straight into tech, dress runs- outside trailer building and then THE SHOW.

My 11-1 went quicker than most, though we were still adding material. The 30 minute maximum on the piece will definitely go over but I have no idea how much yet. I am more confident with my part in marketing which i found out only makes up 20% of my grade. We get to write 1000 words to defend and show what we did outside of class, which reassures me so much more to show everything I have done.

The break between now and my second ‘class’ went quick. But today it was auditions. I could see the major difference between first, second and third years à not even in their movement but just the energy when you walk into the room. I remember being terrified and chocked up like my life depended on this one audition and beating myself up after it- these are now the first and second years (Second i would say more as you feel more is expected of you and you need to begin making your name). Third years knew the process (though this is my second time with third edge and first proper time immersed) and calmly warmed up and got into their own headspace. The audition was lead by ex student, Rachael gittins, who i worked with this year on a choreography. It was lovely to see her and to see her move again. My dancing wasn’t the worse or the best it has been but I left knowing i did what i could and that i moved in a style i hadn’t done for a while yet loved the aesthetic.

Straight from the audition i managed to grab one of the dancers to go into my dissertation who I had been watching for a while. I am feeling more confident about it again and know I already have 3 really strong people under my belt and I CANNOT WAIT TO START CREATING.

I power walked to work (photo shoot on campus) where i met the girl i just scouted- if i would have known i wouldn’t have been in such a rush. Work was slow as i had no laptop or anything to do- PLU SWE WERE OUT IN THE COLD but i was surrounded by people from the arts centre and that just made me feel at home. Throughout today as well, i have ended up becoming more and more an ambassador for Malta and Erasmus which is so strange how much people care about what my year was like.

Finishing work i went straight to pole. One more hour and my day is done. I LOVED IT- LAST WEEK WHEN I COULDNT EVEN GRAB THE POLE WITH A GOOD GRIP AND PUT ALL MY WEIGHT INTO MY HAND AND ‘WALK’ AROUND NOW I WAS ABLE TO NOT ONLY DO THAT BUT ADD TURN VARIATIONS ON.

We learnt new moves and even started a routine. I‘m loving pole and hope to save up over the course of the year to get one so when I graduate I can continue practice.

I’m home I made dinner and had a nice relaxing evening.

Thursday

Heading in for our 9-11 lecture we were suppose to have a guest meeting in the first half an hour but with a change of plan we headed through the cold back to the original lecture spot and began a new topic. Ethics. Mid way through our guest speaker and director for our performance came in and delivered his lecture on (auto)ethnography. It was helpful to get a list of some theorists that could influence me partially but I always struggle with signal and wifi in that room and so was unable to research as he was speaking. On Monday I will need to do a big catch up as I think I will be resting Sunday.

We went straight from lecturer to our coffee/tea spot had a lovely catch up and productive food shop. As soon as I was back I napped- only to be woken by my landlord seconds before a spontaneous house viewing and I was CONFUSED on the day time and thought I missed lecture. NEVER AGAIN.

I missed French and ended up getting an early night- TOMORROW I WLL BE LONG.

Friday

I was up at 6:45 and on the bus to Wigan for my interview before doing the tech. Face on, I am impressed I could do that so early. LONG STORY SHIRT- I GOT THE JOB. I will be doing night shifts over the Christmas period, meaning near the end I will be exhausted as still have Uni but my timetable allows sleep and a few naps but I will no longer be in negatives and be positive after paying all rent without SFE with one week notice before University started. I am so proud of that- if you want something and are determined you will do whatever it take to do that. Me doing this for me seems normal but it lets me reflect on people who couldn't do that for themselves or others and realise on other people for help. I am growing.

I missed my bus back by 2 minutes but that didn't stop me singing in the street- when I have a good day I love to feel it. I got back to campus and although was a little late was there for when we began tech. After aa quick run we did a dress run, one hour break then another run with the speaker we were going to incorporate in al scenes, 1 hour break then back for costume. It was a long day. We were back at 6 and told what we would be doing in rooms, after watching the opening on the site specific piece, and then went to varying places to perform. We gathered at 9 for a quick warm up and then danced the final in the theatre. I got home by 10:30 ad straight to sleep. I ate so little, was starving but didn't care.

The experience taught me a lot and allowed me to think through my own personal thoughts on relationships and marriage.

Saturday

Up and early for work I was in Haydock and put in a new section, however when I got to check in was relocated back to the understaffed boxes. I was initially put with a mate of mine in a box of 12- nice easy day- and then got moved to a box of 42 to help the staff. Later we found out our 2 over 18's and one under with 42 customers were still understaffed but there were boxes of 20 people with 7 staff. I don't know how today made sense but there we go.

As much as everyone else seemed stressed, and there was a disater in the kitchen where 7 starters got ruint and they had to make a whole new menu and delayed our box, I was calm and when finishing received a written recommendation saying how I stood out and was so helpful. Our tips were so good too- so this paired with the Christmas job I am feeling less stressed.

I went for things and kept perservering and it has pulled through. If you want/need something keep trying.

Sunday

I know this blog is up late in the day but I literally slept through the whole thing and still feel tired. Today is rest, Tomorrow wake up early and get all the assignments as close to 'done' as I can. Life is balance which is why I am glad I do my work little but often so it is not weighing on me now, and knowing where to rest for busy periods of time coming up.

Sunday